Head of Research and Development

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

Company Overview

The Microbiology Division (MBD) is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Specialty Diagnostics Group and a global leader in microbiological diagnostics. We manufacture culture media and related products used in clinical, food, and pharmaceutical laboratories. With over 2,200 employees across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, MBD generates approximately $600M in annual revenue. Our primary sites are in Basingstoke, UK, and Lenexa, Kansas, USA, supported by 10 additional manufacturing locations and multiple distribution centers as part of a global supply chain.

Position Summary

This is a high-impact global R&D leadership role within MBD, focused on advancing innovation and delivering on our strategic goals across clinical, food, and pharma microbiology markets. Reporting directly to the Division President, the successful candidate will be a key member of the MBD Leadership Team and the corporate R&D extended leadership team. They will also serve on the divisional Growth Board, shaping and driving the innovation strategy. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Deep knowledge of the markets we serve

• Global experience in new product development

• A strong track record of leading large, cross-functional teams

• Proven ability to align R&D strategy with business objectives

How You’ll Make an Impact

As the head of MBD R&D, you will:

• Lead global R&D teams focused on instruments, culture media, AST, and PMO

• Set the innovation vision for the division, collaborating closely with Marketing, Operations, and R&D teams across Thermo Fisher

• Drive internal and external innovation to fuel a robust pipeline of new product ideas

• Oversee the full product lifecycle, ensuring ongoing support for existing products with strong technical expertise

This role is based in ideally within Basingstoke, UK or Vantaa, Finland, with regular travel to other sites as required. Open for candidates to commute on a regular basis / relocation.

What will you do?

• Assume management responsibility for a team of 60+ research and product development staff activities; including prioritization of resources and exploration of new technologies that enables sustained growth for the business.
• Build leadership bench strength, a great team and culture across the R&D team. Initiate and co-lead MBD R&D talent development initiatives to attract, engage, develop, and retain top talent.

• Collaborate with business development and product management functions to develop the technology strategy, product innovation roadmap and identify and evaluate inorganic partnership opportunities.
• Work across the business, functions, sites and multiple collaborator groups to help design and implement R&D strategies and planning.
• Ensure product development is performed with a customer-centric focus. Develop solutions to customers’ challenges and needs.
• Support strategic programs and project initiatives of varying size, scope, complexity as needed.

• Provide general oversight and leadership to all innovation, product development and transformation projects. Be the change agent who encourages new insights, processes and approaches, and enabling a culture of technical excellence, multidisciplinary problem solving, teamwork, consistency, flexibility, execution, quality and effective communication.
• Lead the design control and quality of products through the life cycle including product care of a large portfolio of products. Create and maintain product design history to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Build infrastructure and streamline processes through Practical Process Improvement (PPI) for R&D lab facilities across multiple sites to optimize existing processes and workflows.

• Provide oversight to the R&D PMO which has responsibility for agreed upon projects from their inception to post-launch monitoring ensuring delivery on cost, schedule and quality targets.
• Conduct regular evaluations of the entire portfolio to ensure projects and their prioritization align with business objectives and any potential risks are mitigated to derive positive value for the business.

• As a member of the division leadership team, provide plans and status concerning product development projects that support the business. Ensure that an adequate pool of equipment and resources are available to meet the needs of the projects within the business constraints.
• Is responsible for the divisional R&D and operations budget; work with finance to measure, improve upon, and report out on R&D performance, including quarterly R&D business review reporting and product vitality (PV) tracking.

• Regularly engage with executive management, customers and regulatory agencies concerning program status and planning.
• Maintain an industry presence through conference participation, technical presentations and publications, and relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).

How will you get here?

• A graduate degree, and ideally a Ph.D., in a relevant scientific field such as Microbiology
• 10+ years of R&D experience, including Design Control expertise, in a regulated environment (FDA, EMA)
• 5+ years of validated experience within the in vitro diagnostics space or within a closely related sector
• 10+ Years of People Leadership; demonstrated success leading large teams with excellent people management and interpersonal skills
• Technical R&D Management. Proven success in developing innovative products and/or therapies from concept through commercialization and experience in pipeline design, planning, execution, evaluation and control for an international organization. As well as, the ability to prioritize and lead through sophisticated processes/projects.
• Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills with high attention to details.
• Demonstrated success in change leadership and working through influence across a cross-functional set of global partners and locations.
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and developing products that meet relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to interpret and summarize analytical results in clear, concise, and accurate manner.
• Ability to work autonomously, interact optimally with global/diverse audiences including senior leadership and deliver results in a highly matrixed environment.
• Think and act with a global attitude. Consider multicultural implications when communicating and in making decisions.

Benefits:

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospect. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.